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    The Hermitage, Villa Madama

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    The Hermitage, Villa Madama
    The Hermitage, Villa Madama
    The Hermitage, Villa Madama
    Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg
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    Artist
    Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782)
    Title
    The Hermitage, Villa Madama
    Date
    c.1760 (undated)
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    Metric: 61 x 82 cm
    Imperial: 24 x 32 1/4 in.
    Collection
    Johannesburg Art Gallery. To license image, click here.
    Wilson Online Reference
    P91B
    Description
    In a shady glade, a lane runs across the foreground and on the left a man and a woman greet a friar. A rustic building is at the centre, overhung by trees, while to the right on a gentle slope, a line of trees and a small figure are silhouetted against the sunset sky.
    Provenance
    Given by the artist to Joseph Farington, his pupil; Earl of Normanton; 3rd Earl of Camperdown (1841-1918), Weston House, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire; sold Christie's, 21 February 1919 (160 - A Forest Scene ), bt Leggatt (£23.2s.0d); Anon sale, Sotheby's 1 August 1951 (94 - A Clearing in a Wood); Dr W. Katz; bt 1959 by Johannesburg Art Gallery
    Labels
    On frame: 'Given by the Artist to his pupil, J. Farington R.A. | From the Earl of Normanton's Collection'
    Subject
    The Villa Madama was designed by Raphael for Cardinal Giuliano dei Medici (later Pope Clement VII) and took its name from having been occupied by Margaret of Austria, daughter of the Emperor Charles V, and Duchess of Parma, in the late 16th century. The location shown was probably called 'Il Teatro' as the tragicomedy Il Pastor Fido by G.B. Guarini was performed there in about 1590. From this the libretto of Handel's eponymous opera was derived (1712, revived 1734).
    Related Prints
    E14 William Byrne after Wilson A View in the Villa Madama, near Rome, called Il Teatro, 1765, Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, New Haven (B1984.21.428) and other impressions
    Versions
    See 'Links' tab
    Critical commentary
    This composition was clearly one of Wilson's 'good breeders' as at least five authentic versions are known.
    Bibliography
    WGC, p. 202 under pl. 82a (version 2)
    Link to WG Constable Archive Record
    WGC/1/1/90
    Condition/Conservation
    Relined

    Work of Art

    Prints

    • William Byrne (1743-1805) after Wilson, A View in the Villa Madama, near Rome, called II Teatro, Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, New Haven
    • William Byrne (1743-1805) after Wilson, A view in the Villa Madama, near Rome, called Il Teatro: Pastor Fido & other dramas having been performed there, Victoria & Albert Museum, London
    • William Byrne (1743-1805) after Wilson, A view in the Villa Madama, near Rome, called Il Teatro: Pastor Fido & other Dramas having been perform'd there, The British Museum
    • William Byrne (1743-1805) after Wilson, A View in the Villa Madama near Rome called Il Teatro, Royal Academy of Arts
    • William Byrne (1743-1805) after Wilson, View in the Villa Madama, National Museum Wales, Cardiff

    Versions

    • Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782) The Hermitage, Villa Madama, Petworth House, National Trust
    • Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782) The Hermitage, Villa Madama, Hagley Hall, Worcestershire
    • Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782) The Hermitage, Villa Madama, Private Collection, England
    • Wilsonand Studio, The Hermitage, Villa Madama, Private Collection, Wales
    • Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782) The Garden of the Villa Madama, National Museum Wales, Cardiff

    Biographies

    • Joseph Farington (1747-1821)

    Documents

    • William George Constable, Richard Wilson
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